How to Quickly Establish Trusted Credibility In A Speech: 4 Concrete Ways
Your level of credibility directly influences your audiences’ reception of your talks. It also impacts future bookings and clients. Therefore, the more credible you are, the better your audience will receive you, and the more your career will progress.
There are many ways to establish credibility in a speech, and this article covers four of them. So, whether you are just starting as a public speaker or dream of taking the stage someday, you must take the necessary steps to enhance your credibility as a speaker.
What Is Speaker Credibility?
Trust builds through lived experience, time invested, and knowledge. You do not need to possess all three to be a credible speaker. However, it is crucial to embody at least one characteristic when giving a speech.
Because credibility is such a determining factor in accepting a talk, it’s crucial to establish credibility in a speech as soon as possible. You can establish credibility before taking the stage or after:
- Before: Known credentials (Dr., Masters in ____, etc.)
- After: Credibility statement (discussed later)
Whether you establish it before or after taking the stage, you must incorporate the following credibility steps into your overall speech.
What Is Speaker Credibility?
1. Give A Credibility Statement
If you do not have previous experience, a speech credibility statement will likely mean:
- State why you are passionate about this topic
- What drew you to it
Curiosity pursued breeds knowledge. Meanwhile, if you have experience in the topic, explain your qualifications.
2. Explain Why You Are Qualified To Speak On The Topic

Did you go to university and study this topic?

Did you conduct your research apart from traditional schooling?

What books have you read on the specific topic you present on?

Are you an expert in this particular field or area of study
Earn the trust of your audience, so your time invested in preparing and their time invested in listening pays off. For example, a one or two-sentence explanation of your qualifications can drastically impact how your audience receives the next twenty minutes or two hours.
3. Establish Common Ground
If you present how to publish a book for the first time, consider sharing examples of your trial and error early in your process. People want to feel seen by you, the speaker, and know they aren’t alone in their process.
The more you establish common ground with your audience, the more they will relate to you. Relatability creates credibility. If audiences feel that they know you, they will listen to what you have to say at a personal level.
4. Deliver Your Speech With Confidence
Audiences see confidence through fluent monologue, expression, and confident body language. The more you deliver speeches, the better your delivery will become. If you feel unsure, consider professional coaching to build your confidence—practice in front of family or friends and research body language.
Credibility Statement Examples
- Your identity
- Credentials (experience or knowledge)
- Reason for giving the speech
- The primary purpose of the speech
Below are varying examples of credibility statements:

Presenting to a book club:

Doctor to a patient:

Actor in an audition:

The Three Areas Of Credibility To Master When Speaking
Compassion
Without compassion, you will become disengaged and cannot build mutual camaraderie with those listening. Your audience wants to connect with you, and compassion is a crucial way to allow them to do so.
Confidence
There’s not much more uncomfortable than sitting through a speech where the speaker is ill-prepared or lacking confidence. No matter how credible your credentials, confidence will help take you to that next level. Here is a video we created on how you can gain confidence on stage.
Competence
It’s crucial to combine all three aspects: Compassion for your audience, confidence that you are the person to present, and confidence in your subject matter. These are the building blocks to speech credibility.
How To Move Forward Today As A Credible, Capable Public Speaker?
TEDx speaker, Simon Sinek calls this specific thought process your why. Determine:
- Why makes you uniquely credible
- What you bring to the stage others don’t
- How your positioning can help your audience
Continuously work to build your credibility in how you speak and where you speak. Doing so will build your confidence and your audience’s confidence in you. You now know:

What speaker credibility is

How to establish it

How to give a credible statement
Use this knowledge base to build your speech. Then, take the stage with confidence. The audience will see your credibility, trust your influence, and experience change.